Flip up cap

Abstract

The invention relates to a closure device (2) for closing a refill opening of a tank such as, a fuel tank or a lubricant tank. The closure device includes a body portion (20) for engagement with the refill opening. The closure device (2) further includes a pivotal member (6) provided with a grip portion (3). The grip portion (3) may be switched between a retracted position and a protruding position. In protruding position, the grip portion (3) extends outwardly of the body portion (20) to form a convenient grip to an operator. A holding member (13, 14, 17) may be provided to hold the pivotal member (6) in the protruding position. The holding member (13, 14, 17) may be secured to the pivotal member (6) and to the body portion (20). The closure device (2) may further comprise a biasing member (11) arranged for urging the pivotal member (6) towards the retracted position.

Claims

1. A closure device for closing a refill opening of a fuel tank, which closure device comprises: a body portion for engagement with said refill opening, defines a longitudinal axis; a pivotal member including a grip portion, which pivotal member is pivotal about a pivotal axis and pivotally connected to said body portion for movement between a retracted position and a protruding position, in which protruding position said grip portion extends outwardly of said body portion to form a grip and thereby assist in loosening and tightening the closure device, wherein the pivotal member is lockable in the protruding position by means of a holding member, wherein a first part of the holding member is secured to the pivotal member and a second part of the holding member is secured to the body portion, and wherein the closure device further comprises a biasing member arranged for urging the pivotal member towards the retracted position, wherein the pivotal member includes a counter portion located on an opposite side of said pivotal axis in relation to the grip portion, and the body portion has a recess portion for receiving the counter portion when the pivotal member is moved from the retracted position towards the protruding position.

2. A closure device according to claim 1, wherein said holding member comprises a first fastening member attached to the pivotal member and a second fastening member attached to the body portion, the first and second fastening members are adapted to engage each other when the pivotal member is in the protruding position.

3. A closure device according to claim 1, wherein said holding member is a resilient member.

4. A closure device according to claim 3, wherein a threshold position is arranged between the retracted position and the protruding position of the pivotal member and for a position of the pivotal member between said threshold position and the protruding position, the resilient member urges the pivotal member towards the protruding position.

5. A closure device according to claim 4, wherein said resilient member is a spring attached in one end to the pivotal member and in another end to the body portion.

6. A closure device according to claim 4, further comprising a conical pressure spring, the conical pressure spring being configured to act as both the biasing member and the resilient member, and for a position of the pivotal member between said threshold position and said retracted position, the conical pressure spring urges the pivotal member towards the retracted position.

7. A closure device according to claim 1, wherein the pivotal member is pivotal about or with at least one pin, which at least one pin is secured to the body portion, wherein the biasing member is a torsion spring arranged around said at least one pin for urging the pivotal member to return to the refracted position.

8. A closure device according to claim 1, wherein the first part of the resilient member is pivotally secured to a securing portion of the pivotal member, which securing portion projects into the interior of the body portion for the retracted position of the pivotal member.

9. A closure device according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the pivotal member is provided with a surface structure on a surface of the pivotal member facing away from the body portion, which surface structure preferably includes grooves, recesses or ribs.

10. A closure device for closing a refill opening of a tank in a handheld power tool, which closure device comprises: a body portion for engagement with said refill opening, which body portion defines a longitudinal axis; a pivotal member including a grip portion, which pivotal member is pivotal about a pivotal axis and pivotally connected to said body portion for movement between a retracted position and a protruding position, in which protruding position said grip portion extends outwardly of said body portion to form a grip and thereby assist in loosening and tightening the closure device, wherein the pivotal member is lockable in the protruding position by means of a holding member, wherein a first part of the holding member is secured to the pivotal member and a second part of the holding member is secured to the body portion, and wherein the closure device further comprises a biasing member arranged for urging the pivotal member towards the retracted position, wherein said holding member is a resilient member, wherein a threshold position is arranged between the retracted position and the protruding position of the pivotal member and for a position of the pivotal member between said threshold position and the protruding position, the resilient member urges the pivotal member towards the protruding position, and wherein the resilient member is a conical pressure spring.

11. A closure device for closing a refill opening of a tank in a handheld power tool, which closure device comprises: a body portion for engagement with said refill opening, which body portion defines a longitudinal axis; a pivotal member including a grip portion, which pivotal member is pivotal about a pivotal axis and pivotally connected to said body portion for movement between a retracted position and a protruding position, in which protruding position said grip portion extends outwardly of said body portion to form a grip and thereby assist in loosening and tightening the closure device, wherein the pivotal member is lockable in the protruding position by means of a holding member, wherein a first part of the holding member is secured to the pivotal member and a second part of the holding member is secured to the body portion, and wherein the closure device further comprises a biasing member arranged for urging the pivotal member towards the retracted position, and wherein the pivotal member includes a counter portion located on an opposite side of said pivotal axis in relation to the grip portion, and the body portion has a recess portion for receiving the counter portion when the pivotal member is moved from the retracted position towards the protruding position.

12. A closure device according to claim 11, wherein the counter portion is configured such that it may be pressed down so as to assist in moving the pivotal member away from the retracted position.

13. A closure device according to claim 11, wherein at least a part of the counter portion protrudes a distance beyond the surrounding surface of the body portion in the direction of the longitudinal axis when the pivotal member is in the retracted position.

14. A closure device according to claim 11, wherein the grip portion extends a distance A from the pivotal axis and the counter portion extends at least a distance 0.25A from the pivotal axis.

.Iadd.15. A closure device for closing a refill opening of a tank in a handheld power tool, the closure device comprising: a body portion for engagement with the refill opening, wherein the body portion defines a longitudinal axis; and a pivotal member comprising a grip portion, wherein the pivotal member is pivotal about a pivotal axis and pivotally connected to the body portion for movement between a retracted position and a protruding position, in which protruding position the grip portion extends outwardly of the body portion to form a grip and thereby assist in loosening and tightening the closure device, wherein the pivotal member is lockable in the protruding position by a holding member, wherein a first part of the holding member is secured to the pivotal member, wherein the pivotal member comprises a counter portion located on an opposite side of the pivotal axis in relation to the grip portion, and the body portion comprises a recess portion for receiving the counter portion when the pivotal member is moved from the retracted position towards the protruding position, and wherein a threshold position is arranged between the retracted position and the protruding position of the pivotal member, and for a position of the pivotal member between the threshold position and the protruding position, the holding member urges the pivotal member towards the protruding position..Iaddend.

.Iadd.16. The closure device of claim 15, wherein the counter portion is configured such that it may be pressed down so as to assist in moving the pivotal member away from the retracted position..Iaddend.

.Iadd.17. The closure device of claim 15, wherein at least a part of the counter portion protrudes a distance beyond a surrounding surface of the body portion in a direction of the longitudinal axis when the pivotal member is in the retracted position..Iaddend.

.Iadd.18. The closure device of claim 15, wherein the grip portion extends a distance A from the pivotal axis, and wherein the counter portion extends at least a distance 0.25A from the pivotal axis..Iaddend.

.Iadd.19. The closure device of claim 15, wherein the holding member comprises a spring..Iaddend.

.Iadd.20. The closure device of claim 15, wherein the holding member is pivotally secured to a securing portion of the pivotal member, and wherein the securing portion projects into the interior of the body portion for the retracted position of the pivotal member..Iaddend.

.Iadd.21. The closure device of claim 15, wherein at least a part of the pivotal member is provided with a surface structure on a surface of the pivotal member facing away from the body portion..Iaddend.

.Iadd.22. A closure device for closing a refill opening of a tank of a handheld power tool, the closure device comprising: a body portion configured to engage the refill opening; a pivotal member pivotally connected to the body portion and configured to pivot about a pivotal axis between a retracted position and a protruding position, wherein the pivotal member comprises a grip portion, and wherein, when the pivotal member is in the protruding position, the grip portion extends away from the body portion to form a grip for loosening or tightening the closure device relative to the refill opening; and a resilient member extending between the body portion and the pivotal member and configured to hold the pivotal member in the protruding position, wherein the pivotal member comprises a counter portion, and wherein the counter portion is located on an opposite side of the pivotal axis relative to the grip portion, and wherein the body portion comprises a recess portion, and wherein the recess portion is configured to receive the counter portion when the pivotal member is in the protruding position..Iaddend.

.Iadd.23. The closure device of claim 22, wherein the counter portion is configured to be pressed into the recess portion so as to assist in moving the pivotal member away from the retracted position..Iaddend.

.Iadd.24. The closure device of claim 22, wherein the pivotal member is configured to pivot from the retracted position to a threshold position and then to the protruding position, and wherein, when the pivotal member is between the threshold position and the protruding position, the resilient member urges the pivotal member towards the protruding position..Iaddend.

.Iadd.25. The closure device of claim 24, wherein, when the pivotal member is between the threshold position and the retracted position, the resilient member urges the pivotal member towards the retracted position..Iaddend.

.Iadd.26. The closure device of claim 22, wherein the resilient member comprises a spring..Iaddend.

.Iadd.27. The closure device of claim 26, wherein the spring comprises a conical pressure spring..Iaddend.

.Iadd.28. The closure device of claim 22, wherein the pivotal member comprises a securing portion, wherein the resilient member is pivotally secured to the securing portion, and wherein, when the pivotal member is in the retracted position, the securing portion projects into the recess portion..Iaddend.

.Iadd.29. The closure device of claim 22, wherein the pivotal member comprises a securing portion, wherein the resilient member is pivotally secured to the securing portion at a securing axis, and wherein the securing axis is substantially parallel to the pivotal axis..Iaddend.

.Iadd.30. The closure device of claim 29, wherein the grip portion is integral with the counter portion, and wherein the counter portion is integral with the securing portion..Iaddend.

.Iadd.31. The closure device of claim 22, wherein the pivotal member comprises a surface structure that faces away from the body portion..Iaddend.

.Iadd.32. The closure device of claim 22, wherein the body portion defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein the pivotal axis is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis..Iaddend.

.Iadd.33. The closure device of claim 22, wherein the body portion comprises threads configured to engage corresponding threads on the refill opening..Iaddend.

.Iadd.34. The closure device of claim 22, wherein the grip portion comprises a semi-circular shape..Iaddend.

.Iadd.35. The closure device of claim 22, wherein the pivotal member comprises a recess formed in the periphery of the grip portion, and wherein the recess is configured to receive a finger tip of an operator of the handheld power tool so as to assist in moving the pivotal member away from the retracted position..Iaddend.

.Iadd.36. The closure device of claim 22, further comprising a sealing ring engaged with the body portion and made of an elastic rubber material..Iaddend.

.Iadd.37. The closure device of claim 22, wherein the resilient member is pivotally secured to the pivotal member and secured within an interior of the body portion..Iaddend.

.Iadd.38. The closure device of claim 22, wherein the grip portion extends a distance A from the pivotal axis, and wherein the counter portion extends at least a distance 0.25A from the pivotal axis..Iaddend.

.Iadd.39. A handheld power tool comprising the closure device of claim 22, wherein the handheld power tool comprises a chainsaw..Iaddend.

.Iadd.40. The handheld power tool of claim 39, wherein the tank comprises a lubricant tank..Iaddend.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will in the following be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a tank with a closure device for a chainsaw, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the closure device with a grip portion in a retracted position, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the closure device with the grip portion in a protruding position, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section view of the closure device with the grip portion in the retracted position, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates a cross section view of the closure device with the grip portion in the protruding position, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates a cross section view of the closure device with the grip portion close to a threshold position, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(8) The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like references.

(9) FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a handle part 1, of for instance a chain saw, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention. Although the example embodiment is shown to be used in conjunction with the chainsaw, it should be understood that the present invention could be incorporated into any suitable type of portable handheld power tool and is not limited to use in the chainsaw only and, may be incorporated in different types of embodiments. The handle part 1, hereinafter referred to as the handheld power tool 1, may be used in gardening or forestry applications. The handheld power tool 1 may be driven by an internal combustion engine (not shown). Further, the internal combustion engine may be either a gasoline engine or a diesel engine. In an embodiment of the present invention, a tank may be a fuel tank of the internal combustion engine. The fuel tank may include a refill opening (not shown) with threads for engagement with corresponding threads of a closure device 2. The closure device 2 may be used to close the refill opening in a sealed manner with respect to the ambient by tightening the closure device 2 into the refill opening.

(10) FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the closure device 2. The closure device 2 includes a body portion 20 provided with threads 4 for engagement with corresponding threads of the refill opening. The refill opening may be closed by tightening the body portion 20 of the closure device 2 into the refill opening of the fuel tank of the handheld power tool 1. The closure device 2 has a substantially flat top surface. The closure device 2 further includes a skirt 5 to provide a fluid-tight seal when the closure device 2 is fully engaged into the refill opening.

(11) Referring to FIG. 2, a pivotal member 6 is provided which is pivotal about a pin 7 passing through a pivotal axis XX. The pivotal member 6 is pivotally connected to the body portion 20 for switching between a retracted position and a protruding position. The pivotal member 6 further includes a grip portion 3 for providing a convenient grip to an operator of the handheld power tool 1. The shape of the grip portion 3 may be semi-circular. However, it will be apparent to a person ordinarily skilled in the art that the grip portion 3 may have any suitable shape.

(12) The pivotal member 6 further includes a counter portion 8 located on an opposite side of the pivotal axis XX with respect to the grip portion 3. The counter portion 8 includes surface structure such as grooves, ribs or recesses on a surface of the pivotal member 6 which is facing away from the body portion 20. Referring to FIG. 2, the counter portion 8 protrudes a distance beyond the surrounding surface of the body portion 20 in a longitudinal direction along a longitudinal axis Y of the body portion 20, in the retracted position of the pivotal member 6. This helps in pushing the counter portion 8 to facilitate the opening of the grip portion 3. The grip portion 3 extends a distance A (as shown in FIG. 4) from the pivotal axis XX and the counter portion 8 extends a distance B from the pivotal axis XX. The distance B is at least a distance of 0.25A from the pivotal axis XX. As an example, if the distance A is 2 cm, the distance B is at least 0.5 cm. In other embodiments the distance B may be at least a distance of 0.35A or 0.45A from the pivotal axis XX. If then the distance A is 2 cm, the distance B is at least 0.7 cm or 0.9 cm, independent of the extending distance A of the grip portion 3, it is preferred that the counter portion extends at least 0.5 cm from the pivotal axis XX.

(13) A recess 10 is formed in the periphery of the grip portion 3 as shown in the FIG. 2. The grip portion 3 may be opened by inserting a finger tip into the recess 10. The counter portion 8 may still be pushed down into the closure device 2 in order to assist in moving the pivotal member 6 away from the retracted position. If the operator for instance wears gloves, he or she can push the counter portion 8 in order to move the grip portion 3 away from the retracted position as much to enable grip of the grip portion 3 in the recess 10.

(14) The closure device 2 may further include a resilient member that holds the pivotal member 6 in the protruding position. The resilient member may be secured to the pivotal member 6 and the body portion. In various embodiments of the present invention, the resilient member may be a spring, preferably a pressure spring or a conical pressure spring. The resilient member is explained in conjunction with FIG. 6.

(15) FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the closure device 2 with the grip portion 3 in the protruding position. The closure device 2 includes a biasing member 11 surrounding the pin 7 as shown in the FIG. 3. The first end of the biasing member 11 is secured to the grip portion 3 and the second end 12 of the biasing member 11 is secured to the body portion 20. The biasing member 11 urges the pivotal member 6 towards the retracted position unless the pivotal member 6 is in the protruding position. The biasing member 11 may be a torsion spring arranged around the pin 7 for urging the pivotal member 6 to return to the retracted position. The biasing member 11 may further be a pressure spring or a conical pressure spring. In some embodiments of the present invention, the resilient member and the biasing member 11 may be the same member.

(16) FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section view of the closure device 2 with the grip portion 3 in the retracted position. The closure device 2 includes a pivotal member fastener unit 13 and a body portion fastener unit 14. The pivotal member fastener unit 13 includes one or more fastening members connected with the pivotal member 6 and the body portion fastener unit 14 includes one or more fastening members connected with the body portion 20. Specifically, the fastening members of the pivotal member fastener unit 13 engage with the corresponding members of the body portion fastener unit 14 to hold the pivotal member 6 in the protruding position. In the protruding position, the grip portion 3 of the pivotal member 6 extends outwardly of the body portion 20 to form a grip. The operator may easily loose or tighten the closure device 2 with the help of the grip.

(17) Referring to FIG. 4, the counter portion 8 protrudes a distance a beyond the surrounding surface of the body portion 20 in a longitudinal direction along a longitudinal axis Y of the body portion 20, in the retracted position of the pivotal member 6. Thereby, the pushing of the counter portion 8 to lift the grip portion 3 is facilitated, since the counter portion 8 protrudes beyond the body portion 20. The body portion 20 of the closure device 2 is provided with a recess portion 15 for receiving the counter portion 8. Specifically, the counter portion 8 of the pivotal member 6 moves in the recess portion 15 when the pivotal member 6 moves from the retracted position towards the protruding position.

(18) The closure device 2 also includes a sealing ring 16. The sealing ring 16 may be made of an elastic rubber material and it prevents leakage of for instance fuel when the closure device is mounted in an opening on a tank of a handheld power tool.

(19) FIG. 5 illustrates a cross section view of the closure device 2 with the grip portion 3 in the protruding position. In the protruding position, the fastening members of the pivotal member fastener unit 13 and the fastening members of the body portion fastener unit 14 form a snap fastening means. The fastener member of the pivotal member fastener unit 13 may be a flexible member and the fastening member of the body portion fastener unit 14 may be a seat portion for holding the flexible member. The fastening member of the body portion fastener unit 14 may be a flexible member and the fastening member of the pivotal member fastener unit 13 may be a seat portion for holding the flexible member. The torque required for releasing the fastening means is greater than the torque exerted by the biasing member 11, such that the pivotal member 6 is held in the protruding position. Thereby, the pivotal member 6 must be released from the protruding position by an operator and may not be released by itself. The torque required for the fastening means to engage to a locking position is also greater than what normally may be caused by a branch or the like that may get hooked to the grip member during operation of the power tool.

(20) FIG. 6 shows a cross section view of the closure device 2 with the pivotal member 6 located between the threshold position and the retracted position. The threshold position is arranged between the retracted position and the protruding position of the pivotal member 6. A resilient member 17 can hold the pivotal member 6 in the protruding position. When the pivotal member 6 is between the threshold position and the protruding position, the resilient member 17 urges the pivotal member 6 towards the protruding position. Thus, even a small turning of the pivotal member 6 from the threshold position towards the protruding position urges the pivotal member 6 towards the protruding position. Similarly, if the pivotal member 6 is moved passed the threshold position towards the retracted position, the resilient member 17 will urge the pivotal member 6 towards the retracted position. Thereby, the function of the biasing member 11 is incorporated in the resilient member 17.

(21) The resilient member 17 may be a spring, preferably a pressure spring or a conical pressure spring. A first part of the spring 17 is secured to the bottom of the recess 15 in the body portion 20. A second part of the spring 17 is pivotally secured to a securing portion 18 of the pivotal member 6 as shown in the FIG. 6. The securing portion 18 projects into the interior of the body portion 20 for the retracted position of the pivotal member 6. At the connection point between the spring 17 and the securing portion 18 there is a securing axis 19 at which the spring 17 is pivotally secured to the securing portion 18. The securing axis 19 is parallel to the pivotal pin 7 around which the pivotal member 6 turns. When the pivotal member 6 is in a position between the threshold position and the retracted position, the spring 17 pushes the securing portion 18 and the counter portion 8 upwards at the same side of the pivotal pin 7, to the right in the figure, such that the pivotal member 6 is pushed towards the retracted position.

(22) When the pivotal pin 7 around which the pivotal member turns and the securing axis 19 is in line with a longitudinal centre of the spring 17, then the pivotal member 6 is in the threshold position. At a position of the pivotal member between the threshold position and the protruding position, the spring pushes the securing portion 18 and the securing axis 19 upwards at one side, to the left in the figure, of the pivotal pin 7. The counter portion 8 is then pushed downward on the other, right, side of the pivotal pin 7 into the recess 15 in the body portion 20. This is due to the distance between the counter portion 8 and the securing axis 19 provided by the securing portion 18. Thereby, the grip portion 3 is protruding away from the body portion 20 and is held in that position by the spring 17. The torque needed for moving the pivotal member 6 passed the threshold position towards the protruding position is set by the spring force in the spring 17. Also the position of the threshold position between the retracted position and the protruding position may be set by the arrangement of the spring 17 and the securing portion 18.

(23) In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.